Assessment of grazing capacity in subalpine and alpine summer pastures of Gjirokastra district

Abstract The article analyzes the summer pastures of the habitats of the Çajupi, Nëmërçka, Murgana, Trebeshina, Dhëmbeli and the Luca mountain in Southern Albania. This research aims to establish on a scientific basis the problems of livestock breeding in subalpine and alpine summer pastures in the Gjirokastra district. After determining the test areas that would be analyzed, they were marked and, at the time of reaching the full vegetation for the pasture, the biomass of these plots was collected and it converted in dry biomass and, based on of the norms given in the part of the work methodology, the pasture capacity of sheep was determined for each pasture habitat taken into analysis. These results were compared with those known from local literature and experience, as well as with those currently practiced by the Forest and Pasture Directorates of the municipalities of this district.